Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails - A Camping Podcast

Tim & Kristen
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Biweekly

Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails is a camping podcast hosted by Tim & Kristen, sharing real-life adventures from driveway prep to the last campground goodbye. Episodes may focus on a single trip, a helpful tip, a maintenance lesson, or a campfire story—but always reflect the realities of camp life. Unfiltered but clean, this podcast is for anyone who wants to camp smarter, laugh at the mishaps, and enjoy the outdoors without the hype. Checkout our website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies/ Have a question, comment or campfire tail? Email us at: Info@campingwiththeinnies.com

  1. Sep 18

    Traveling With Dogs? Why We Choose KOA Cabins Over Hotels

    Traveling With Dogs? Why We Choose KOA Cabins Over Hotels Traveling with dogs can make finding a pet-friendly hotel a challenge. In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down, we’re sharing why KOA cabins have become one of our favorite road-trip travel hacks when we’re traveling with Monty and Gadget without the camper. This is Part 4 and the finale of our KOA series, and we’re talking about how KOA camp cabins give us another option when an RV trip doesn’t make sense. Whether we’re traveling for a runDisney weekend, heading to a convention, taking a quick road trip, or just need a place to stay with the dogs, KOA cabins have worked surprisingly well for us. We talk about: • Why we choose KOA cabins over traditional hotels when traveling with dogs • What makes a campground cabin convenient for pet-friendly road trips • The difference between traveling with the camper and staying in a cabin • What to check before booking a pet-friendly KOA cabin • Our experiences using KOA cabins in Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas • Why you don’t need an RV to take advantage of a KOA campground KOAs mentioned in this episode: Hiawassee KOA Holiday — Hiawassee, Georgia https://koa.com/campgrounds/hiawassee/ Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday — Davenport, Florida https://koa.com/campgrounds/orlando-sw/ Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday — Kissimmee, Florida https://koa.com/campgrounds/kissimmee/ Charlotte / Fort Mill KOA Journey — Fort Mill, South Carolina https://koa.com/campgrounds/charlotte/ Follow Camping with the Innies: Website https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies/ Questions, comments, or a campfire tale? info@campingwiththeinnies.com If you’ve been searching for pet-friendly travel ideas, alternatives to hotels with dogs, KOA cabin reviews, or ways to enjoy a campground without owning an RV, this episode is for you. Sometimes the best camping travel hack is realizing you don’t have to bring the camper at all. See you around the campfire.

    Traveling With Dogs? Why We Choose KOA Cabins Over Hotels

  2. Sep 1

    We Stayed at Two Orlando KOAs — Here’s Which One Fit Each Trip

    Two Orlando KOAs You’re Probably Overlooking In Part 3 of our KOA series, we’re heading to Orlando—but this time, we’ve got two different KOAs and two very different reasons for staying at them. We first stayed at the Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday in Davenport during a runDisney trip. Later, when Kristen was attending a convention at the Orange County Convention Center, we tried the Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday. In this episode, we talk about our experiences at both campgrounds, why the location of each worked for the trip we were taking, and why these two KOAs might be hidden gems if you’re planning a trip to Central Florida. We cover: • Our stay at Orlando Southwest KOA during runDisney • Our experience at Orlando / Kissimmee KOA • The differences between the two locations • Why location matters when choosing a campground around Orlando • Access to Disney and the rest of the Orlando area • Which campground made more sense for each of our trip • Why KOA continues to work for the way we travel 🏕️ CAMPGROUNDS FROM THIS EPISODE Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday Davenport, Florida Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday Kissimmee, Florida Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday Both campgrounds are KOA Holiday locations and offer RV sites, tent sites and cabin accommodations. (KOA) 🐕 FOLLOW CAMPING WITH THE INNIES Follow along with Tim, Kristen, Monty & Gadget as we share the trips, tips, campground stays and occasional chaos that come with camping and traveling together. Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies Website: campingwiththeinnies.com Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com 🎙️ SET UP, TEAR DOWN: TIPS, TRIPS & CAMPFIRE TALES If you enjoyed the episode, follow or subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. It helps more campers find the show and join us around the campfire. See you around the campfire — and remember, everyone deserves a Rich’s Retreat: a place you never want to leave, even if it’s just the backyard.

    We Stayed at Two Orlando KOAs — Here’s Which One Fit Each Trip

  3. Aug 11

    Mystic KOA Holiday Review: Is It Worth It? Connecticut Camping & Porgy Fishing

    Absolutely. I’d keep the notes cleaner and include only the main Black Hawk link: Episode 14: Mystic KOA Holiday Review: Is It Worth It? Connecticut Camping & Porgy Fishing Part 2 of our four-part KOA series takes us north to Connecticut and the Mystic KOA Holiday. Last episode, we talked about why we think KOAs can be one of the best values in camping. This time, we’re looking at another side of that value: using a campground as a home base for everything there is to experience around it. We share our experience staying at Mystic KOA Holiday, what we thought of the campground and sites, how it worked for traveling with Monty and Gadget, and how it compares to the Fredericksburg KOA from Part 1. But one of the highlights of this trip happened away from the campground. We headed to Niantic, Connecticut, for a porgy fishing trip aboard the Black Hawk with Captain Greg Dubrule. We talk about our day on the water, fishing for porgies, our experience with Captain Greg and his crew, and whether we’d book another trip. This trip really drove home why we like using campgrounds such as Mystic KOA as a home base. Sometimes the campground itself doesn’t have to be the entire destination. It’s about having a comfortable place to come back to after a day of exploring and making memories. In this episode: Our review of Mystic KOA HolidayHow Mystic compares to Fredericksburg KOAWhy location plays such a big role in campground valueExploring coastal ConnecticutOur Black Hawk Sport Fishing tripPorgy fishing on Long Island SoundCaptain Greg and the Black Hawk crewWhether we’d return to Mystic KOA🎣 Black Hawk Sport Fishing Niantic, Connecticut https://blackhawksportfishing.com/ 🏕️ Mystic KOA Holiday https://koa.com/campgrounds/mystic/ 🌲 Camping with the Innies Website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com Next up in our KOA series: we’re heading to Orlando to talk about two KOAs we think are hidden gems for visiting Disney and exploring Central Florida. Then, in Part 4, we’re sharing one of our favorite travel hacks—using KOA Camp Cabins instead of hotels when we’re traveling with Monty and Gadget. Rich’s Retreat is a place you never want to leave—even if it’s just the backyard. We’ll see you around the campfire.

    Mystic KOA Holiday Review: Is It Worth It? Connecticut Camping & Porgy Fishing

  4. Jul 30

    Are KOAs Worth It? Our Honest Take from Fredericksburg

    Episode 13: Fredericksburg KOA Review | Camping Value & Why KOAs Are Worth It Are KOAs really worth the money? In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down, Tim and Kristen kick off a four-part series exploring why they believe KOAs are some of the best values in camping. The first stop is the Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday in Virginia—a campground that’s become one of their favorite places to stay when traveling along the East Coast. From spacious sites and well-maintained amenities to friendly staff and a convenient location, they discuss what keeps bringing them back. Along the way, they also explain the differences between the three KOA campground types, share how the KOA Rewards program has saved them money over the years, and discuss why KOAs continue to offer excellent value for campers. In This Episode Why we’re starting a four-part KOA seriesKOA Journey vs. Holiday vs. Resort campgroundsIs KOA Rewards worth the annual membership?What makes the Fredericksburg KOA one of our favoritesWhy we think KOAs continue to offer one of the best values in campingCampground Featured Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday Helpful Links 🏕️ Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday https://koa.com/campgrounds/fredericksburg-washington-dc/ 📝 Read about our original stay: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com/monty-and-gadget-s-adventure-blog/2650672_on-the-road-leg-six-leaving-rich-s-retreat-and-heading-south 🌐 Website https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies/ 📧 Email info@campingwiththeinnies.com Coming Up Next This is just the beginning of our KOA series! Episode 14: Mystic KOA Holiday (Connecticut) – One of our favorite New England campgrounds. Episode 15: Two Orlando KOAs That Make Visiting Disney Easier (and More Affordable). Episode 16: The Ultimate KOA Travel Hack—How Camp Cabins Can Save You Money When Traveling with Dogs. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave us a five-star review, and share it with a fellow camper. Your support helps us continue bringing you campground reviews, camping tips, travel stories, and plenty of campfire conversations.

    Are KOAs Worth It? Our Honest Take from Fredericksburg

  5. Jul 15

    Harvest Hosts vs. Campgrounds: Which Camping Style Is Right for You?

    Episode 12: Harvest Hosts vs. Campgrounds – Which One Wins? (+ The Story Behind Camping with the Innies) Is a Harvest Hosts stay better than a traditional campground? In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down, we compare two very different camping experiences after staying at 1781 Brewing Company and Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views. We share what surprised us most about each stop, break down the pros and cons of Harvest Hosts versus full-service campgrounds, and explain why the best choice really depends on the kind of trip you’re taking. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful overnight stop or a campground to settle into for a few days, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we’re answering a listener question we’ve been asked more than once: How did “Camping with the Innies” get its name? (Hint: it has nothing to do with belly buttons!) In This Episode Harvest Hosts vs. traditional campgroundsOur stay at 1781 Brewing CompanySpacious Skies Shenandoah Views reviewPros and cons of each camping styleWhich type of camping is best for different tripsThe story behind the name Camping with the InniesMentioned in This Episode 1781 Brewing Company: https://www.1781brewing.com/Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views: https://spaciousskiescampgrounds.com/shenandoah-views/Follow our adventures: Instagram: @camping_with_the_inniesWebsite: https://campingwiththeinnies.comEmail: info@campingwiththeinnies.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with a fellow camper. Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover? Send it our way—it might be featured in a future episode!

    Harvest Hosts vs. Campgrounds: Which Camping Style Is Right for You?

  6. Jun 30

    Back from Rich’s Retreat: The Good, the Bad & the Unexpected

    Rich’s Retreat Recap : Massachusetts Camping, Road Trip Stories & Unexpected Mishaps Our annual trip to Rich’s Retreat is in the books, and we’re sharing everything that made this camping adventure one to remember. From spending time with family around the campfire to exploring some great local stops, this episode is packed with real stories, travel tips, and a few unexpected surprises along the way. Not every road trip goes exactly as planned. We talk about the gas can that somehow fell through our cargo basket while we were driving, a small battery that unexpectedly exploded in the cup holder, and why our Nissan Pathfinder may be giving us the first signs of a transmission problem. If you enjoy RV travel, camping adventures, campground stories, tow vehicle maintenance, and honest conversations about life on the road, this episode is for you. In This Episode ● Rich’s Retreat 2026 camping recap ● Campfire stories, food, and favorite memories ● Visiting Echo Hill Orchards & Winery ● Dinner at the Historic Steaming Tender Restaurant ● The gas can that escaped our cargo basket ● A battery explosion inside the tow vehicle ● Possible transmission concerns with the Nissan Pathfinder ● Lessons learned from another memorable camping trip Places We Visited Echo Hill Orchards & Winery: 
A family-owned orchard, winery, and distillery in Monson, Massachusetts. If you’re traveling through western Massachusetts, it’s a fantastic stop for locally made wines, cider, spirits, fresh fruit, and beautiful scenery. Website: https://www.echohillorchards.com Steaming Tender Restaurant
: Located inside the historic Palmer Union Station in Palmer, Massachusetts, this one-of-a-kind restaurant offers great food with front-row views of active railroad tracks—perfect for train enthusiasts and anyone looking for a unique dining experience. Website: https://www.steamingtender.com Antonio’s Pizza by the Slice
: A western Massachusetts favorite known for its huge selection of creative pizza slices—from classic cheese and pepperoni to unique combinations like buffalo chicken, mac & cheese, and more. It’s a quick, casual stop that’s perfect for grabbing a slice (or a few) while on the road. Website: https://www.antoniospizza.com We’d Love to Hear From You! What’s the most unexpected thing that’s happened on one of your camping trips? Have you ever lost gear on the highway, dealt with vehicle trouble, or had a camping mishap that turned into a great story? Share it with us—we may feature it in a future episode! 🌐 Website: https://campingwiththeinnies.com 📧 Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a five-star review, and share the podcast with your camping friends. Your support helps us continue sharing real camping stories, travel tips, and adventures from the road. Thanks for listening, and until next time… happy camping! Tim, Kristen, Monty and Gadget

    Back from Rich’s Retreat: The Good, the Bad & the Unexpected

  7. Jun 8

    Preparing for Rich's Retreat, First-Time Harvest Hosts Camping & Essential RV Upgrades

    In Episode 10 of Camping with the Innies, we're deep into preparation mode as we get ready for our annual trip to Rich's Retreat, a longtime camping tradition hosted at Kristen's parents' backyard. Before we can kick back and enjoy the weekend, there are plenty of projects to tackle, and we're bringing you along for the journey. This week, we discuss the camper upgrades and RV maintenance tasks we've been working on to get road-ready. From reinforcing interior shelving to strengthening the rear bumper and preparing it to support a cargo basket carrying our generator, we're focused on making our travel trailer safer, more reliable, and better equipped for future adventures. We also talk about our first experience using Harvest Hosts and what we're expecting from this unique RV camping membership program. If you've ever considered staying at wineries, farms, breweries, or other Harvest Hosts locations, we share our thoughts on planning, preparation, and why we're excited to give it a try. As always, we dive into the realities of RV ownership, trip planning, and the unexpected projects that seem to appear before every camping trip. Whether you're a full-time RVer, weekend warrior, or just dreaming about life on the road, this episode offers practical insights, DIY camper modification ideas, and plenty of camping conversation. In This Episode: • Preparing for our annual Rich's Retreat camping trip • Our first-time experience planning a Harvest Hosts stay • Reinforcing camper shelves and storage areas • Strengthening the rear bumper for additional cargo capacity • Generator transportation and power planning • RV maintenance and pre-trip preparation tips • Travel trailer upgrades and DIY projects • Lessons learned from previous camping adventures If you enjoy RV camping, travel trailers, campground reviews, Harvest Hosts stays, DIY camper upgrades, camping with dogs, RV maintenance, and family camping adventures, be sure to subscribe and follow Camping with the Innieswherever you get your podcasts. Connect With Us: 🌐 Website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies 📧 Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com We'd love to hear about your favorite Harvest Hosts experiences, RV modifications, and camping adventures!

    Preparing for Rich's Retreat, First-Time Harvest Hosts Camping & Essential RV Upgrades

  8. May 24

    We Ignored the Check Engine Light to Make It to Disney

    This week on Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails, we’re talking about the trip that almost went sideways before we even made it to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Halfway to Disney, the truck threw a check engine light and started idling at crazy high RPMs. Instead of turning around, we convinced ourselves it could wait because the vacation was non-refundable and Run Disney weekend was already booked. Then we pulled into Fort Wilderness and heard a completely different problem — a brutal grinding noise coming from the brake drum. But not every trip turns into a full-blown mechanical adventure. Sometimes the best memories come from slowing down, enjoying the campground, and making the most of the unexpected moments along the way. The next morning we found ourselves sitting in an AutoZone parking lot getting a free code scan and trying to figure out whether we were dealing with a simple fix… or a financially devastating Disney vacation. From check engine lights to brake drum chaos, we’re sharing the warning signs we ignored, the roadside troubleshooting that followed, and the reality that every RV trip seems to come with at least one unexpected mechanical surprise. ✉️ info@campingwiththeinnies.com 🌐 www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies?igsh=MTNud3JhMm9jeG1yeA== 🔗 https://linktr.ee/Campingwiththeinnies

    We Ignored the Check Engine Light to Make It to Disney
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Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails is a camping podcast hosted by Tim & Kristen, sharing real-life adventures from driveway prep to the last campground goodbye. Episodes may focus on a single trip, a helpful tip, a maintenance lesson, or a campfire story—but always reflect the realities of camp life. Unfiltered but clean, this podcast is for anyone who wants to camp smarter, laugh at the mishaps, and enjoy the outdoors without the hype. Checkout our website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies/ Have a question, comment or campfire tail? Email us at: Info@campingwiththeinnies.com

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